Tia Kofi Explained

Tia Kofi
Birth Name:Lawrence John Bolton
Birth Place:Essex, England, UK
Occupation:Drag queen, singer
Years Active:2014–present
Television:RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 2)
(series 2)

Lawrence John Bolton,[1] better known by the stage name Tia Kofi, is a British drag queen and singer from Clapham, South London.[2] They are best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2021),[3] and winning the second series of (2024).[4]

Early life

Kofi was born in Essex to a Nigerian mother (d. 2022) and a British father who met at university.[5] [6] Kofi attended the University of Nottingham, but did not graduate.[7]

Career

Kofi began their career as a drag queen in 2014, when they started drag on the same day and at the same venue as series 1 contestant Sum Ting Wong. Their name is a play on the phrase "tea or coffee?", and as part of their initial entrance confessional, Kofi confirmed that they'd named themself after Tia Mowry from American sitcom Sister Sister and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.[8] Prior to competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Kofi frequently performed in venues across South London, predominantly in Clapham.

Kofi is a part of a drag girl-group called The Vixens consisting of Kofi, Pixie Polite and Woe Addams.[9]

In December 2020, Kofi was announced as one of twelve contestants competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. After lip synching three times, Kofi ultimately placed seventh overall.[10] [11]

In February 2021, shortly after their elimination from Drag Race, Kofi released their debut single "Outside In" (co-written by Little Boots, Tom Aspaul and Gil Lewis), as well as a music video on 24 February 2021.[12] In May 2021, Tia Kofi performed alongside series 1 winner The Vivienne, and fellow series 2 contestant Veronica Green at the Vaudeville Theatre in "Drag Queens of Pop", which was one of the first performances on the West End after the third national COVID-19 lockdown in England.[13]

In February 2022, Kofi embarked on RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official Tour alongside the entire cast of series 2, in association with World of Wonder and promoter Voss Events.[14] Their set consisted of "Outside In" followed by "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa and "No Way" from the musical Six. In May 2023, Kofi released their third EP, Pride. Power. Pop. and single "Standing Up for the Lonely" They played the digital assistant ALGO in the second series of "Olga Koch: OK Computer" on BBC Radio 4 from May 2023.[15]

In January 2024, Kofi was announced as one of the contestants competing on series 2 of RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. the World.[16] They later went on to win the series and be crowned "Queen of the Mothertucking World". Subsequently, they took home the first-ever cash prize in the shows history: £50,000.[17]

On 5 May 2024, Kofi co-hosted the opening "Turquoise Carpet" event of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 alongside Swedish drag queen Elecktra.[18]

Personal life

Kofi identifies as queer. They dated their fellow The Vixens member Pixie Polite for approximately five years.[19] Kofi is the "drag mother" of Victoria Scone[20] and uses they/she pronouns.[21]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2021RuPaul's Drag Race UKContestantSeries 2
2021Celebrity GoggleboxThemself Black to Front Special (alongside Tayce)[23]
2021Children in Need 2021ThemselfGuest appearance[24]
2021Be Here, Be QueerThemselfNetflix special[25]
2022Eating with My ExThemselfCelebrity special[26]
2022Celebrity CatchpointThemselfSpecial guest[27]
2022Celebrity LingoThemselfGuest[28]
2022Bring Back My GirlsThemselfGuest[29]
2024ContestantSeries 2[30]

Music videos

YearTitleArtistRef
2017"Gotta Get a Grip"Mick Jagger
2021"My House"Jodie Harsh
"Outside In"Tia Kofi[31]
"Look What You've Done"Tia Kofi & Cahill
"Loving Me Like That"Tia Kofi
"Jingle Bell Rock"The Vivienne & Tia Kofi
2022"Get Better"Tia Kofi
"So Good"

Internet series

Role! scope="col"
Notes
2021I Like to Watch UKGuestProduced by Netflix[32]
2022Eating with My ExProduced by BBC Three[33]
Little RantsProduced by Funny Parts[34]
Tea TimeHostProduced by Attitude Magazine[35]

Discography

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Part 1: The Damage
Part 2: The Antidote[36]
Pride. Power. Pop.

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Outside In"2021Part 1: The Damage
"Look What You've Done"
"Loving Me Like That"
"I Want It All"
"Jingle Bell Rock"
"Get Better"2022Part 2: The Antidote
"Heart Beating" with MRSHLL
"I Specialise in Love"
"So Good"Pride. Power. Pop.
"Standing Up for the Lonely"2023
"Maybe It's You"
"Guest List"[38]
"Lonely This Christmas"
"Read My Lips"2024Read My Lips

As featured artist

TitleYearAlbum
"UK Hun?"The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (Bananadrama Version)2021
"Heart Beating" with MRSHLL2022

Stage

YearTitlePromoterLocations
2021Drag Queens of PopNimax TheatresVaudeville Theatre[39]
2022RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official TourVoss Events / World of WonderIpswich, Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Southend, Manchester, Sheffield, Blackpool, Llandudno, Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Plymouth, London, Derby, Bristol, Bradford, Aberdeen, Southampton, Stockton, Brighton and Newport[40]
2024RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World: The Official TourVoss Events / World of WonderGlasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol, London and Bournemouth[41]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ANTIDOTE . ASCAP . American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers . July 15, 2023.
  2. Web site: Who is Tia Kofi? Meet the RuPaul's Drag Race UK "queen of Clapham" . 2021-03-29 . . en . 17 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135048/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/tia-kofi-rupauls-drag-race-uk-contestant/ . live .
  3. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two Meet The Queens . live . 2021-03-29 . . 16 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201216115708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/rpdr2-queens .
  4. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World season 2 reveals cast competing for first UK cash prize . Nolfi . Joey . ew.com . . January 13, 2024.
  5. RuPaul's Drag Race UK's Tia Kofi insists 'progress still needs to be made' for LGBT community's rights. Metro. Simon. Gage. 23 June 2021. 9 February 2024.
  6. Web site: Today is my mother's funeral.... Tia Kofi. Instagram. 14 July 2022. 9 February 2024.
  7. We spoke to Tia Kofi about Notts Uni life and all things Drag Race UK season two. The Tab. Olivia. Fletcher. 20 January 2021. 9 February 2024.
  8. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race UK (S2 E1) . live . . 29 March 2021 . 17 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135051/https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p091prm3/rupauls-drag-race-uk-series-2-episode-1?seriesId=p091pr8j .
  9. News: Exclusive: Drag Race UK star spills the Tia (Kofi) on the "twists and turns" of season 2 . February 19, 2021 . Sam . Damshenas . . March 30, 2021 .
  10. Web site: 2021-02-20 . Drag Race UKs Tia Kofi tears up following elimination as she recalls lockdown struggle . 2021-05-14 . . en . 15 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210615065702/https://attitude.co.uk/article/drag-race-uks-tia-kofi-tears-up-following-elimination-as-she-recalls-lockdown-struggle/24539/ . live .
  11. Web site: 2021-02-21 . RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Tia Mowry Reaches Out To Tia Kofi After Elimination . 2021-05-14 . ScreenRant . en-US. 14 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210514083242/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-uk-tia-mowry-kofi-elimination/ . live .
  12. Web site: 2021-02-24 . Drag Race UKs Tia Kofi stuns in video for debut single 'Outside In' . 2021-03-29 . . en.
  13. Web site: Drag Queens of Pop . 2021-03-29 . Nimax Theatres . 1 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210401094924/https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/drag-queens-of-pop/ . live .
  14. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour . 2021-03-26 . Voss Events . en . 1 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210501032451/https://vossevents.com/rupauls-drag-race-uk-tour/ . dead .
  15. Web site: Olga Koch: OK Computer - Series 2 - 1. Fun - BBC Sounds . 2023-05-30 . www.bbc.co.uk . en-GB.
  16. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World' season 2 cast announced . 2024-03-30 . EW.com . en.
  17. Web site: RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World series 2 winner crowned . 2024-03-30 . www.bbc.co.uk . en.
  18. Web site: 3 May 2024 . Drag superstars Elecktra and Tia Kofi to host Eurovision Turquoise Carpet . 3 May 2024 . Eurovision.tv . EBU.
  19. Web site: Pixie Polite Reveals She Dated This Drag Race Queen For 5 Years . 2024-02-10 . . en . 2022-12-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208095125/https://www.out.com/television/2022/10/07/pixie-polite-reveals-she-dated-drag-race-queen-5-years . live .
  20. Web site: 2 September 2021 . Tia Kofi on her 80s inspired EP and Drag Race UK season 3 making herstory . 26 November 2021 . Sam Damshenas . Gay Times . 17 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135052/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/tia-kofi-on-her-80s-inspired-ep-and-drag-race-uk-season-3-making-herstory/ . live.
  21. Web site: Tia Kofi . . 18 March 2023 .
  22. Web site: Lawrence Bolton, Actor, London . 30 March 2021 . 18 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210618232437/https://www.mandy.com/uk/actor/lawrence-bolton-1 . live .
  23. Web site: 2021-09-10. Meet Tia Kofi and Tayce from Celebrity Gogglebox Black to Front. 2021-10-09. Reality Titbit. en-US. 9 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211009094150/https://www.realitytitbit.com/channel-4/meet-tia-kofi-and-tayce-from-celebrity-gogglebox-black-to-front. live.
  24. Web site: 2021-11-19. BBC Children in Need telethon's 2021 grand total revealed. 2021-11-26. Justin Harp. Digital Spy. en-US. 9 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211009094150/https://www.realitytitbit.com/channel-4/meet-tia-kofi-and-tayce-from-celebrity-gogglebox-black-to-front. live.
  25. Web site: 2021-12-30 . Drag Race UKs The Vivienne, Tia Kofi and more discuss drag in the UK in new Netflix film . 2021-12-30 . . en . 2021-12-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230193127/https://attitude.co.uk/article/drag-race-uks-the-vivienne-tia-kofi-and-more-discuss-drag-in-the-uk-in-new-netflix-film-1/26406/ . live .
  26. Web site: January 19, 2022. Josh. Darvill. Eating With My Ex start date and celebrity line up revealed for new specials. January 20, 2022. Telly Mix. en. 17 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135053/https://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/606689-eating-with-my-ex-start-date-and-celebrity-line-up-revealed-for-new-specials.html. live.
  27. Web site: April 21, 2022. Michael. Darling. Celebrity Catchpoint host Paddy McGuinness: 'It can get quite treacherous!'. April 22, 2022. What To Watch. en. 21 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220421145036/https://www.whattowatch.com/features/celebrity-catchpoint-host-paddy-mcguinness-it-can-get-quite-treacherous. live.
  28. Web site: November 7, 2022. Celebrity Lingo Episode 7. November 16, 2022. itv.com.
  29. Web site: Drag Race Reunion Show Bring Back My Girls Promises to Spill the Tea . 2024-01-13 . www.pride.com . en.
  30. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World' season 2 cast announced . 2024-01-13 . EW.com . en.
  31. Web site: 2021-02-24 . Drag Race UK's Tia Kofi stuns in video for debut single 'Outside In' . 2021-03-29 . . en.
  32. May 21, 2021 . Drag Queens The Vivienne & Tia Kofi in the Eurovision Special! I Like to Watch UK Ep 12. Still Watching Netflix . . February 15, 2024.
  33. March 25, 2022 . DRUK S2 Star Tia Kofi and Ex Hugh Eating With My Ex BBC Three. BBC Three. . February 15, 2024.
  34. December 20, 2022 . Tia Kofi Is 7 Foot Tall With A Wig On?! Little Rants Funny Parts. Funny Parts. . February 15, 2024.
  35. October 1, 2022 . Drag Race UK's Starlet reveals why sheleft without an exit line. Funny Parts. . February 16, 2024.
  36. Logan . Phillip . July 3, 2022 . Tia Kofi Drops Brand New EP, 'Part 2: The Antidote' . CelebMix . July 6, 2022 . 5 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220705224556/https://gcn.ie/poz-vibe-drag-race-ongina/ . live .
  37. Web site: Tia Kofi releases new EP Pride. Power. Pop. featuring new single Standing Up For The Lonely. Retropop. May 27, 2023. May 28, 2023.
  38. Web site: Tia Kofi - Guest List . 2023-10-12 . slinky.to.
  39. Web site: Drag Queens of Pop . 2021-03-29 . Nimax Theatres . 1 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210401094924/https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/drag-queens-of-pop/ . live .
  40. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210501032451/https://vossevents.com/rupauls-drag-race-uk-tour/ . 1 May 2021 . 2021-03-26 . Voss Events . en.
  41. Web site: Yates . Jonny . 2024-02-20 . RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs. The World queens announce tour dates . 2024-05-23 . PinkNews Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news LGBTQ+ news . en-US.

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